AC TRANSIT ANNOUNCES ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE 84TH ANNUAL AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS FIELD DAY

Press Releases06/22/2017

The weekend event will test if a hydrogen fuel cell bus may operate as an emergency power source.

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) will support the Oakland Radio Communication Association (ORCA) Field Day 2017. Field Day began in 1933 and has become the largest simulated emergency event of amateur radio operators. Staged throughout North America each June and sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), more than 40,000 amateur radio operators will set up temporary transmitting stations in public places.

These “ham radio” operators will function on emergency power for a full 24 hours. While natural disasters are simulated, Field Day offers our transit agency a unique opportunity to test how our fuel cell buses may keep vital resources operating if the region is rendered powerless. This weekend, one of AC Transit’s fleet of 13 hydrogen fuel cell buses will serve as a reserve power source during Field Day.

Our hydrogen fuel cell buses are equipped with more than zero-emission technology that eliminates greenhouse gases. The fuel cell bus is also outfitted with its own power plant. The onboard fuel cell power plant is capable of operating for at least 24 hours consecutively. The fuel cell power plant provides energy to technologically advanced battery pack capable of sustaining heavy loads or maximum capacity cycles. When fully operational, the maximum output is 120 kilowatts of exportable power.

“Our fuel cell buses have exceeded the manufacturers recommended lifetime. In fact, some are nearing unprecedented levels of operating service,” Salvador Llamas, AC Transit Director of Maintenance. “So we’re eager to learn what additional power plant uses may be realized with these truly innovative buses.”

The fuel cell bus tank capacity is 40 kilograms (or 88.2 pounds) of hydrogen fuel. In normal conditions, the fuel cell buses power plant can operate five to six days before refueling. If the onboard fuel cell power plant is activated during Field Day, we can tabulate how much amperage will be drawing from the bus during an emergency charge cycle and ultimately better glean its precise number of operating hours and days.

Field Day exercises will occur at Oakland’s Sequoia Arena – across from the Chabot Space and Science Center. The two day event starts Saturday, June 24th and continues through Sunday, June 25th. Field Day will operate from 11 a.m. (Saturday) – 11: 00 a.m. (Sunday).

For more information on our fleet of fuel cell buses, please visit actransit.org.